Moorestown Students Represent at Boys State

Eight Moorestown teens were among the nearly 1,000 New Jersey rising seniors in high school who transformed into “statesmen” last week at Boys State.

The 68th session of American Legion Jersey Boys State (ALJBS) at Rider University in Lawrenceville began June 16. The weeklong retreat is a practical approach for teaching civics and government at the local, county and state level, including party politics.

“This week will shape the future for 967 young leaders at Jersey Boys State,” said David Bagatelle, director of ALJBS. “Just ask Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Robert Menendez or Mayor Cory Booker, all of whom attended this program when they were in high school.”

Booker returned to Boys State last week to deliver the gathering’s keynote address, telling the teens they must get involved in their communities.

“Either accept conditions as they are or take responsibility for changing them,” Booker said. “People think life is about 'fitting in,' but really, it's about standing out.”

Eight Moorestown teens now join the ranks of statesmen alumni. All were sponsored by American Legion posts #42 and #156.

“Statesmen,” as Boys State representatives are called, run their own 51st state in the union, creating local, county and statement governments and courts. This year’s elected governor, Christopher Biehn, hails from Medford.

2013 Moorestown Statesmen:

• James Burns, Moorestown, Legion Post #42
• Nicholas Contarino, Moorestown, Legion Post #42
• George Elia, Moorestown, Legion Post #42
• Kevin Harris, Moorestown, Legion Post #156
• Kevin Mullin, Moorestown, Legion Post #42
• Nicholas Poaletti, Moorestown, Legion Post #42
• Gregory Rothman, Moorestown, Legion Post #42
• Jeffrey Waldin, Moorestown, Legion Post #42